Ruling celebrates the humanity of all God's children

Slavery was once popular. Banning women from the polls was once popular. Fouling the earth with pollution was once popular. None of these is right in the eyes of our Creator.

RABBI MERRILL SHAPIRO

We have all been fashioned with infinite wisdom by our Creator. Some tall, some short. Some with brown eyes, others with blue. Some heterosexual, and some homosexual. Some light-skinned and some dark-skinned. Yet religious communities throughout our great country will assure you that we are, each of us, created in the image of the Divine. According to my religious tradition and the Bible's opening chapter, when we were created, we changed the world from a place that was "good" to a place that was "very good." In fact the biblical text of the first chapter of Genesis calls on us to struggle with the notion that we were created "male and female." Perhaps there is, within each and every one of us, elements of the male and of the female of our species. Who are we to question how the world was created? Who are we to question the Divine intent? As the Almighty speaks to the biblical Job out of the whirlwind, so must we speak to those who call the creation of homosexuals wrong. We must ask them, as God asks in Job, chapter 38: "Where were you when God laid the Earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand! Who marked off its dimensions, surely you know?" For in the end, God is a God of justice and righteousness. We are told in Deuteronomy Chapter 16 that it is "Justice! Justice we must pursue!" Notice that in this formulation, we are not called upon to "do justice" as we might be called upon to observe the Sabbath, feed the hungry or celebrate our holy days. We are told to "pursue" justice. We are called upon by the Almighty not simply to undo injustice when we see it, but to actively seek out injustices and make them right. And so it is that it did not seem, to a majority of our Supreme Court justices, that it was just for the IRS to demand of Edith Windsor $363,053 in inheritance taxes upon the death of Thea Spyer, to whom she was lawfully married in Ontario, Canada, under the provisions of the Canadian Civil Marriage Act, a marriage recognized under by the state of New York under a reciprocity agreement. You see, we, as Americans, have agreed that if Canada recognizes our marriages, we will recognize Canadian marriages. Most News-Journal readers in heterosexual marriages would not have to pay similar inheritance taxes. Was it the intent of our Creator that Edith Windsor be singled out in such a manner? It is a situation that calls for us to "pursue" justice for Edith Windsor and all who are married, no matter their sexual orientation. Now it may be true that many Americans are uncomfortable with the Supreme Court decisions. But the religious community, above all others, knows that what is "right" is not always what is "popular." Slavery was once popular. Banning women from the polls was once popular. Fouling the earth with pollution was once popular. None of these is right in the eyes of our Creator. Finally, America's devout come out big winners with the Supreme Court decision, because the government will remain true to our First Amendment rights to keep our legislative, executive and judicial branches out of the religion business. Each religious leader remains free to refuse to officiate at same-sex marriages. Each religious leader remains free to willingly officiate at same-sex marriages, according to the way in which that leader and that leader's denomination hears the voice of God. Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing? Let's all listen for the voice of God!

Shapiro is the rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in Palm Coast, and president of the national board of directors for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.